A full complement of safety systems now available for the short-radius distribution sector for the first time

Stuttgart – At the beginning of the week Daimler presented the new Mercedes-Benz Antos, the first specialist vehicle model series designed for heavy-duty short-radius distribution transportation use. The vehicle will celebrate its public premiere at the IAA Commercial Vehicles show in Hannover in September. Whether put to use for food, heating oil, building materials or municipal transportation applications, with a permissible gross vehicle weight of between 18 and 26 tonnes the Antos is totally at home in the regional transportation sector.

Even though its exterior unmistakably reflects its relationship with the new Actros, the Antos boasts a number of special highlights in terms of its design. In line with its often urban area of application, on the one hand the Antos sports a very friendly look. At the same time, the relatively flat design for short-radius distribution creates an extremely robust and sturdy appearance.

The continuous 2.30 metre-wide cab of the new Mercedes-Benz Antos is available in the ClassicSpace design in short (S) and medium (M) lengths. The medium-length variant is also available as the super-flat CompactSpace cab, for trucks with cooling units fitted to the body, for example. The premium cockpit area provides the driver with an ergonomic place of work: the vehicle instruments are clearly arranged and easy to use from an ergonomic point of view. In addition, the modern multifunction steering wheel as well as the generous seat adjustment options help to make the day-to-day work of the driver easier.

Wide range of safety assistance systems

For the first time, all of the safety assistance systems with which drivers are familiar in the Actros are now also available for drivers in the short-radius distribution sector. The following systems are fitted as standard: the electronically-controlled braking system EBS with disk brakes all-round, the highly-effective engine brake, the anti-lock braking system ABS, the acceleration skid control system ASR, and Stability Control Assist. Right through to the third-generation Active Brake Assist, Mercedes-Benz has also put together an uncompromising safety package of additional optional assistance systems for the Antos. The new ABA 3 system now also automatically initiates full brake application on detecting stationary obstacles.

Euro VI engines from 175 kW (238 hp) to 375 kW (510 hp)

The Antos is making its debut with an exceptionally wide range of Euro VI diesel engines comprising three inline six-cylinder engines with displacements of 7.7 litres, 10.7 litres and 12.8 litres. Power outputs range from 175 kW (238 hp) for lighter applications as a single vehicle through to 375 kW (510 hp) for heavy-duty tractor/trailer and tractor/semitrailer combinations used under topographically very demanding conditions.

All of the engines meet the Euro VI emissions level, and also feature common rail injection and exhaust gas recirculation. The treatment of exhaust gas emissions is implemented by means of SCR technology with AdBlue injection, as well as an oxidizing catalytic converter connected in series and a particulate filter.

Fully-automatic transmissions for all variants

Consistent power transmission comes courtesy of fully-automated, quick-shifting Mercedes PowerShift 3 transmissions with eight and twelve gears. A special feature of the new Antos is the option to combine extremely compact engines such as the OM 936 with multi-gear transmissions. This results in favourable performance, even in the case of tractor/trailer and tractor/semitrailer combinations which are only occasionally fully loaded and using corresponding payload-optimised drive units.

Crawler mode is a special feature offering significant benefits for short-radius distribution transportation, which often features a high proportion of urban stretches and manoeuvring sequences in tight unloading areas: when in start-off or reverse gears, the driver can control the speed of the Antos using only the brake pedal.

Loader/Volumer: application-specific models for the first time

For specific areas of application, for the first time Mercedes-Benz is introducing specialist models for the Antos in the heavy-duty short-radius distribution sector as well as the Actros in the long-distance transport sector. Under the term Loader, Mercedes-Benz has grouped together payload-optimised variants which achieve record values in terms of unladen weight and payload. The Volumer, meanwhile, provides maximum load capacities thanks to its load compartment interior height of three metres.

Antos Loader: payload record for semitrailer trucks

The Antos Loader is the first semitrailer truck for 40-tonne vehicle combinations to come in below the 6-tonne unladen weight limit – and it does so even with an engine meeting the Euro VI emissions level.

Even with the larger OM 470 inline six-cylinder engine meeting the Euro VI emissions level and producing up to 315 kW (428 hp), the semitrailer truck weighs approx. 6400 kg. At this weight, the new Antos occupies an excellent position in the competitive environment, and even compared with Euro V vehicles it can be considered one of the leading trucks.

A prerequisite for this is a consistent design oriented towards low weight. In the case of the Antos Loader, this includes entrance supports made of aluminium, weight-optimised front windows and floor coverings, batteries with a reduced capacity, a combined tank for fuel and AdBlue, and also numerous other measures.

Antos Volumer for applications requiring a low load compartment sill

The benefits afforded by the Antos Volumer include a load compartment sill which is 80 mm lower than previously available. The interior height of up to three metres also provides customers with extended load options, which in practice can mean being able to transport an additional palette of goods.

In addition to a wide range of cabs, customers can also choose between different sizes of fuel tanks – depending on whether the priority is payload or range.

Mercedes-Benz Antos: in a class of its own

As the first specialist vehicle for heavy-duty short radius distribution transportation, the new Mercedes-Benz Antos is in a class of its own: the model series for short-radius distribution use covers a wide variety of applications in its segment. Companies are able to benefit from its economy and efficiency, body manufacturers from its good body mounting ability and individuality, and drivers from its user-friendliness, safety and handling.